Servais Knaven has recovered from his cold and will lead Team MILRAM on Wednesday, March 4, in the Belgian one-day race Le Samyn (UCI 1.1). In addition to the Netherlander, Directeur Sportif Ralf Grabsch will look to Germans Markus Eichler, Robert Förster, Thomas Fothen, Dominik Roels and Paul Voß, as well as Netherlander Wim Stroetinga and Italian Luca Barla, on the 191.9 kilometers from Frameries to Dour.
“I have been able to fully train again the last two days and after discussions with the doctors and team managment got the green light to ride again,“ said the 37-year-old Knaven, who is planned as MILRAM Classics team captain for the important one-day races in April. “It is my second start in Le Samyn. The last time I rode it was 15 years ago, and the course was totally different, for example with the start in Charleroi instead of Frameries. I am happy that in my 16th pro year I can start in a new-for-me race in Belgium.“
A look at the winner’s list over the last years shows the importance of the race to the riders. Last year, Philllipe Gilbert, fresh off his win in Het Volk, won for his then-team Francaise des Jeux. In 2004 it was won by Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen, and in 2002 by Swede Magnus Backstedt. Last year MILRAM’s Martin Velits finished 18th, showing his potential for the Spring Half-Classics. No German has yet won the race, which has been carried out since 1968.
Team MILRAM line-up:
Luca Barla (ITA/Bordighera), Markus Eichler (GER/Mönchengladbach), Robert Förster (GER/Leipzig), Thomas Fothen (GER/Neuss), Servais Knaven (NED/Meerle,BEL), Dominik Roels (GER/Köln), Wim Stroetinga (NED/Drachten), Paul Voß (GER/Bielefeld)
Directeur Sportif: Ralf Grabsch (GER)